Author: yvonne.baird

By Staff Writer: Kayla Kocher With the federal government shutdown halting Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits beginning Nov. 1, Portales residents are bracing for financial strain and food insecurity ahead of the holiday season. Nearly 460,000 New Mexicans depend on SNAP, according to Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham’s office. The federal pause has left many…

By Staff Writer: Kayla Kocher When I moved from Ohio to eastern New Mexico in 2022, my creativity took a hit. Back home, I was surrounded by greenery, floral houses and nature parks that made photography easy. Out here, everything felt “crunchy and brown.” It took time to learn that art does not rely on…

By Staff Writer: Kayla Kocher When “Animal Crossing: New Horizons” launched in March 2020, it became the game of the pandemic as players built dream islands and held virtual events from home. Five years later, the hype has cooled, but Nintendo’s new update could spark a return. Launching Jan. 15 alongside a Switch 2 edition,…

By Staff Writer: Julia Simmons Going to a work conference always seemed like a distant, intimidating corporate experience. It felt like something only true adults did—and at 28, I still don’t quite feel like one. So when my employer “voluntold” me that I’d be attending the New Mexico Library Association’s conference in Albuquerque, I was nervously optimistic. I’m still fairly new to my position, and I hoped…

By Staff Writer: Shawna Hamilton October is Down Syndrome Awareness Month. Roswell recently hosted their annual Step Up for Down Syndrome Walk. This year in honor of Teresa McCreary, who passed away in February. This event is a fundraiser for individuals with Down Syndrome and their families. Babies born with an extra chromosome in the 21st pair have Down Syndrome, resulting in…

By Staff Writer: Trinidad Carrasco Carlsbad, New Mexico runs on more than oil. Long before sunrise, diesel engines rumble down the highway, rigs light up the dark desert, and workers grab breakfast before another twelve-hour shift. People come here chasing opportunity, but it changes the town in ways most don’t see.  Rent has doubled in just a…

By Staff Writer: Shawna Hamilton You have heard the phrases “spring forward” and “fall back.” For me, it brings dread. Can we just stop changing our clocks forward and backward? The Uniform Time Act was signed by President Johnson in 1966. Much has changed since then, and the reasons for changing the time twice a year seem obsolete. Arizona and Hawaii have already stopped the…

By Staff Writer: Trinidad Carrasco Every two weeks, a familiar red truck rolls into New Mexico, loaded down with crates of fresh oranges, avocadoes, and much more. The words Martinez & Sons Produce & Moving Equipment are painted across the side. They’re a small family business that travels more than 1,200 miles from Ivanhoe, California to sell produce in towns like Carlsbad, Artesia, Roswell, Hobbs, and…

By Staff Writer: Trinidad Carrasco  After sitting dark for decades, the lights of Carlsbad’s historic Cavern Theater are glowing once more. Built in the 1950s, the downtown landmark was once the place where families gathered, teenagers met for first dates, and movie lovers lined up all the way downtown. Now, thanks to a community restoration effort, the Cavern Theater has…

By Staff Writer: Jamiliere Luranc Sweeney Weightlifting isn’t just for athletes; it’s one of the most effective ways to build strength, protect your body, and improve overall health. Simply starting with what feels comfortable and gradually progressing to heavier loads has lasting health benefits. One of the biggest advantages is its impact on aging. According…